FINANCIAL AID
Financial assistance is available for qualified graduate students in the Graduate Program in Urban Planning. The Federal Government provides financial aid for qualified graduate students in the form of grants and subsidized loans. The students at the University of Kansas use the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA) to apply for federal funds. This form is available from the financial aid office in Room 50 Strong Hall, at any high school, junior college or four-year institution in the United States, or call 1-800-4-FED-AID to request a FAFSA. You can also file your FAFSA on the Internet using the following address: www.fafsa.ed.gov There are also forms for special circumstances in change of income, which is particularly helpful to graduates and students returning from the workforce. The University's priority deadline is March 1.
Students must be realistic in their hopes for attaining research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. University fellowships are highly competitive and few in number. Research assistantships are usually awarded to students who have completed their first year of study. They have developed the actual experience to help faculty members in conducting their research. Students have successfully acquired graduate teaching assistantships in other departments after their first year of study.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS
Research assistantships are available to graduate students through grants from state appropriated research funds and from federal and private agencies. In addition, University research institutes frequently undertake research projects with faculty members and provide placement opportunities for students. Stipends for half-time service range from $5,000 to $7,000 for University appointments and vary considerably on other research projects.
TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS
A limited number of teaching assistantships are available for exceptionally qualified graduate students with undergraduate degrees in architecture. Usual appointments are for half-time service, for which the stipend is $7,618 for nine months; or for quarter time service, for which the stipend is $3,809.
GRADUATE SCHOOL FELLOWSHIPS
Students wanting to be considered for a scholarship must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The Graduate School awards a limited number of fellowships for which the Urban Planning Program may nominate candidates. The Program makes these nominations based on undergraduate GPAs. Nominees from Urban Planning compete with those from all graduate programs in the University so they are extremely competitive. The application deadline for these fellowships is January 15.
Graduate School Honors Fellowship. This fellowship may be awarded for one academic year of study leading to a master's degree. It is offered only to first-time enrollees in the Graduate School. The stipend is $12,000 plus fees.
Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship for the Furtherance of Affirmative Action. The stipend is $2,000. These fellowships are intended for minority students and may be awarded to entering or continuing minority students in Urban Planning. The applicant must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
State of Kansas Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowships. The stipend is $8,000 per year. Recipients must agree to work for an agency in Kansas for as long as fellowship support was provided.
Summer Fellowships. The stipend is $2,000 plus tuition and fees and is generally restricted to students who have completed at least one year of graduate study at the University of Kansas, have been teaching or research assistants for the fall and spring semesters, and plan to enroll full-time for the Summer Session.
HUD WORK STUDY PROGRAM
The Urban Planning Program participates in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Work Study Program. In certain years this program has internship positions available in area governments and agencies to students in under-represented groups studying urban planning and public administration. The stipend is variable and includes in-state tuition.
OTHER MINORITY FELLOWSHIPS
There are several sources of financial aid specifically intended for minority students. Graduate Minority Opportunity Fund ($8,000 plus tuition), and the Planning Fellowship Program of the American Planning Association ($4,000).
INTERNSHIPS
The Graduate Program actively recruits internships from local and regional agencies and private firms. Most of these are located in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. These positions range from one-quarter time to full-time commitments. Salaries are generally equivalent to research assistantship stipends. Agencies which have participated in the past include: Freilich, Leitner & Carlisle (private consultants), the Mid America Regional Council, Johnson County, and many area municipalities.
Students without any previous planning experience must anticipate completing their first year of study before an agency or firm will hire them as interns, usually in the summer months. These positions are quite helpful in furthering students' chances in gaining permanent employment, either with the organization offering the internship or another planning agency or firm.
FOREIGN STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
The Institute of International Education offers several types of scholarships for foreign students to study in the United States. Application should be made to the Institute of International Education through the appropriate office of the U.S. Information Service, U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate overseas. |
